Police say teen almost runs over 3 during evacuation drill

GULFPORT -- A Boca Ciega High School student was arrested Tuesday after he nearly ran over a police sergeant, a firefighter and a school official during a bomb-threat evacuation drill, authorities said.

Police officers, sheriff's deputies and fire officials were assisting in the drill.

About 10:20 a.m., as students filed out of school during the drill, a 16-year-old student tried to drive off campus in a Ford pickup. Gulfport police Sgt. Ben Brown intercepted the student and made him park the pickup.

Shortly afterward, the same student tried to leave campus again, driving the pickup onto a sidewalk and grass, nearly running into Sgt. Brown and a firefighter, police said. The youth crashed the pickup on the high school's west lawn, nearly hitting a school official, said Gulfport police Lt. Michael Quill.

The 16-year-old was charged with aggravated assault, reckless driving and resisting arrest without violence. He was taken to the Pinellas County Juvenile Assessment Center.